How to Lay Sod in Your Yard

Instructions

1. 1 Prepping soil for sod

   Amending the topsoil and raking the surface out flat is often all the prep work you’ll need to do prior to laying sod. But you can take steps to help the sod root securely. The quicker and more completely it roots, the faster and more robust your new lawn will grow in. Use a leaf rake to scratch shallow furrows in the soil (as seen in the photo at right) in the direction you’ll be laying the soil. Similar to the way raised tire treads help a tire grip the road, these furrows will help the sod bond down to the soil. You can also give your sod a head start by spreading a starter fertilizer over the top of the soil before laying the sod. This will guarantee that the new sod has all the nutrients it needs to begin growing strong. Apply starter fertilizer strictly according the instructions on the bag or box—more is not usually better in the case of sod. And don’t ever be tempted to spread a general synthetic fertilizer because you may prompt a flush of top growth at the expense of strong roots—leading to big problems down the road.

2. 2 Inspecting sod

   
   

   Check all the sod as soon as it’s delivered. Look for damage, disease, or signs of insect infestation. Feel to make sure the sod is not hot, indicating that it has begun decomposing. Store the sod in a cool, shaded area, keeping it moist until you lay it.

3. 3 Laying the first strip

   
   

   Lay the first strip of sod along a straight edge such as a front sidewalk. Butt it to the edge as tightly as possible without overlapping the surface. Mist the soil lightly before setting the sod.

   
   

   
   

   

   Alternative: If there is no straight edge to use as a guide, such as along a property line with no sidewalk, create one with stakes and string.

4. 4 Continue to lay rows

   
   

   Continue the row of sod by butting the next strip up tight against the end of the first. Be sure there is no gap, and that the strips do not overlap.

5. 5 Use knife to stagger sections

   
   

   Cut the first strip in the second row as necessary to create a staggered “brick” pattern. Use a large, sharp knife, or sharpened trowel.

6. 6 Avoid voids

   
   

   Fill any low areas as you lay the strips, to ensure there are no voids underneath the sod. Trowel in topsoil or compost to level each individual area.

7. 7 Spray as you go to keep strips moist

   

   As you work, stop about every 20 to 30 minutes and spray the strips you’ve laid—as well as the stack of sod—with enough water to keep them moist.

8. 8 Angling strips

   
   

   If you need to butt strips at an angle to one another, overlap them, and cut completely through both strips with your knife or sharpened trowel.

9. 9 Handling curves

   
   

   At curves in sidewalks or paths, lay the end of the last strip over the path, and cut the sod along the edging of the path surface. Cut the sod snug, because you can cut again if you need to, but you shouldn’t add thin scraps of sod as filler.

10. 10 If final row needs to be cut Optional

    
    

    If the final row of sod will need to be cut to width, lay a full-size row on the outer edge, and cut the next-to-last row to fit. Use a straightedge, such as a large metal carpenter’s square, long metal ruler, or level

11. 11 Rolling the lawn to eliminate air pockets

    
    

    Roll the lawn with a roller at least half-full with water to ensure there are no air pockets and that the sod is firmly in contact with the soil.

12. 12 Planting sod on a slope Optional

    
    

    One of the advantages of installing sod instead of spreading seed is that it is far better for growing lawns on a slope. But sod strips can still slide out of position. Secure sod strips on a slope by pegging them with metal pegs or with home-made tapered wooden stakes.

13. 13 Check for gaps and fill

    
    

    Check the strips for separation gaps or any areas that you have cut short. Fill these with a combination of sterile soil and grass seed that matches the species in the sod.

14. 14 Watering the sod

    
    

    Water the lawn every day—unless it rains—until you are sure the grass is established and growing (usually a little more than a week).